, 1887-12-07

tending it. The proposition to deposit
money held by the government in the
banks throughout the country for use by
the people, he does not consider wise.
II OTHER SCHEME OF TAXATION
by means of which this needless surplus
Is taken from the people and put in the
public treasury, consists of the tariff or a
duty levied upon importations from
abroad and internal revenue taxes levied
upon the consumption of tobacco and
sDlrituous and malt liquors. But in our
present tariff laws, various inequitable and
Illegal sources of unnecessary taxation
ought at once be revised and amended.
These laws, as their primary and plain
ahect. raise the price to on all
articles imported and subjected to duty
by precisely the sun paid for such duties.
THUS II MoUNT oF THE DUTY,
measures the tax paid by those who pur-
chase for use these Imported articles.
Many of these things, are, however,
raised or manufactured in our own coun-
try, and the duties now LEVIED upon for
elgn g nods and product are called protec-
ton to these home manufactures, because
they render it possible to those of our
people who are manufacturers, to make
taxed articles and sell them for a price
equal that demanded by imported goods
that have paid custom duty. So it hap
pens that while comparatively a few use
the imported articles, millions of our
people who never use nor saw any foreign
product. purchase and use things of same
kind made in this country and uay there
for nearly or quite the same enhanced
price which the duty adds to the noorted
articles. Those who buy imports " the
duty charged thereon into public reas-
ury, but a great majority of our citi as,
who bny domestic articles of the same
class, pay IA sum at least approximately
equal this duty to home manufacturers.
IT IS NOT PROPOSED
to entirely relieve the country of this
taxation. 1t must be extensively contin
ued as a source of the governments in
come, and in a readjustment of our tariff
the interests of American labor engaged
in manufacture should be carefully con
sidered as well as the preservation III our
manufactures. 1t may be called psotec-
ton, or by any other name, but relief
from the hardships and dangers Of our
present tariff laws should de devised with
especial precautiOn against imperilllng
the existence OF our manufacturing inter
ests. But this existence should MT mean
a condition which without regard to the
public welfare or national EFFICIENCY must
always insure a realization of the i'm
mcnse profits, instead of moderately
profitable.
IT Is ALSO SAID
the increase in the price of domestic man
uiactures resulting from the present tariff
is necessary in order that higher wages
may be paid to our working men employ
cd in manufactures that are paid for
what is called pauper labor. We acknowl-
edge the force of the argument which in
wolves the welfare and liberal compensa-
ton OF our laborlug people. The stand
ard of our laborer's life should not be
measured by that of another country less
favored and they are entitled to their full
share of our advantages.
There are 2,623, 0S9 persons employed
in manufacturing industries, and arc
claimed 20 be benefited in a high tariff.
To these appeal is made to save their en-
ployment and maintain their wages by
resisting 1 change. There should be no
disposition to answer such suggestions by
the allegations that they are In the minor
ity among those who labor and therefore
should tOregO an advantage in the interest
of low prices.
THEIR COMPENSATION,
as it may be affected by the operation of
tariff laws, should, at all times. be scrupu-
lousy kept in view, and yet with slight
reflection they will not overlook the fact
that they are consumer with the res;
that they too have their own interests
and wants and those of their families to
supply from their earnings, and. that the
prices of The necessaries of life as well as
the amount of these wants, will regulate
the measure of their welfare and comfort
But the reduction Of taxation demanded
should be so measured as not to necessl-
tate or justify either the loss of employ
ment by the workman, nor the lessening
of his wages; and profits still remaining
to the manufacturer after a necessary re
adjustment.
The farmer and agriculturist who man
ufactures nothing but who pays an in
creased price which the tariff imposes up
OF every agricultural implement, upon
all he wears and upon all be uses and
owns, except the increase of his tiOcks
and herds and such things as his husband
ry produces from the soil, is invited to
aid in maintaining the present situation.
He is told that a high duty on imported
wool is necessary for the benefit of those
WHO nhNC slCtD " SuedT, Ill OTueT IuaJ
the price of their wool may be increased,
they of course are not reminded that the
farmer who has no sheep is, by this
scheme, obliged, in the purchase of cloth.
ing and wooden GOODS, to pay a tribute to
his fellow farmer as well as to manufac.
turers and merchants.
IN SPEAKING OF TIL INCREASED
cost to the consumer of our home manu-
features, resulting from the duty laid
upon imported articles of the same de-
scription, the fact is not overlooked that
competition among our domestic produc-
ers sometimes has the effect of copying
the price of their products below the
highest unit allowed by such duty. But
it is notorious hat this competition is too
often strangled by combinations quite
prevalent at this time, and frequently
called trusts, which have for their object
the regulation of supply and price of com
modities. The people can hardly hope
for any consideration in the operation of
these selfish schemers. If, however, in
the absence of such combination, a healthy
and free competition 20 .uges the price of